e-News
Banksmeadow Public School
In This Issue
Read on to find out about:
- Principals Message
- Band News
- Easter Hat Parade
- High School Applications 2016
- Film Club 2015
- Sport News
- SRC News
- Students Of the Week
- Class of the Week
- Community Events
Dates for the Calendar
March
- Wednesday 18 - Harmony Day/National Day of Action Against Bullying & Violence Assembly
- Monday 23 - Harmony Day/National Day of Action Against Bullying & Violence Day
- Tuesday 24 - Hot Cross Buns - Band Morning
- Wednesday 25 - Stage 1 Assembly
- Tuesday 31 - 'Blue' Mufti day
Principals Message
Engaging Our Children - Important Changes to Student Attendance in Government Schools
This year, the Department of Education and Communities (DEC) updated its policy in relation to Compulsory School Attendance. Current research clearly shows the need to engage students and establish positive attendance behaviours for our children in their early years of schooling and where academic achievement is concerned, every day counts. I have attached some information to the newsletter for you to read through as it outlines important changes to DEC attendance procedures and provides answers to commonly asked questions. If you have any questions or queries, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Taking Pride in Our School - The Importance of Wearing Our Uniform
After spending the better part of Term 1 here at Banksmeadow PS, I must complement our parents and students on the way uniform is worn at our school. At Banksmeadow PS we are very fortunate to have a uniform that is both practical and looks great. When worn well, our uniform; defines our identity as a proud school; gives students a sense of belonging and promotes a positive perception of our school within our community. I was once given a valuable piece of advice that I now live by; “Live the reputation you want to have.” Banksmeadow PS has an outstanding reputation in both the local and wider community and I know that when I talk of our school to others, I speak with pride. We are always seeking to improve our school for our children, be it through academia, sport, ICT, the arts or communication etc. Uniform is another critical area that we are always looking to improve on and I would kindly ask our parents to continue ensuring that your children are wearing the correct uniform each day. If you have difficulty in obtaining the correct uniform for your child, please contact me and I will do whatever I can to assist your family. We have providers in the local area where you can purchase what you need. It may sound silly, but uniform really does instill a sense of pride and belonging in our children, so let’s live the reputation we want to have. Thank you for your understanding.
Celebrating Harmony and Promoting Respectful Relationships (Repeat Item)
In the coming weeks we will be celebrating Harmony Day at Banksmeadow PS. The theme of Harmony Day is “15 Amazing Years of Harmony Day” and it is a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home – from the traditional owners of this land to those who have come from many countries around the world. By participating in Harmony Day activities, we can learn and understand how all Australians from diverse backgrounds equally belong to this nation and enrich it. To strengthen the concept of everybody belonging, we are also participating in the National Day of Action Against Bullying. This annual day provides a focus for all schools across Australia to say “Bullying. No Way!” and to strengthen their existing everyday messages that bullying and violence at school are not okay at any time. To recognise these important days, we will have an assembly on Wednesday 18th March at 12pm that will be run by 3F along with a day of recognition on Monday 23rd March.
On Monday 23rd, the students are asked to wear orange to school and they will participate in Harmony Day activities and discussions in their classrooms. All students will be able to purchase a RESPECT orange wrist band and a Frosty Fruit at a cost of $2. An information note will be sent home shortly outlining the details. It is occasions like this that I feel especially proud to be part of such a cohesive, positive and proactive school community!
Keeping Our Children Safe – Flashing School Zone Signs to be Installed at Banksmeadow PS (Repeat Item)
After a discussion about the safety of our roads around the school at the last P&C Meeting, I contacted the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) to urge them to improve the conditions around our school. They have responded by conducting a full site inspection and announcing that they plan to install the flashing school zone signs outside our school on Brighton Street the week beginning Thursday 12 March 2015 outside of 40km school zone hours. The work will take up to two hours to complete, weather permitting. The RMS has forewarned us that partial lane closures may be in place while work is carried out to ensure safety of road users and workers. There will be some noise associated with this work, but every effort will be made to minimise these impacts. This is a wonderful step forward in terms of improving safety conditions for our children.
Have a wonderful week ahead,
Ben Walsh
Relieving Principal
Band News
Band News
Both the Senior and Beginner band will be performing at school on Tuesday March 24th. The concert will begin at 8.15am near the Brighton Street school gate instead of before school practice. The band will play and welcome students and their families to school. Families of the band students are most welcome to come along to watch the first performance of the year. The school will be hosting a hot cross buns breakfast for the band students after the performance.
All band students need to be at school by 8am on this morning to set up.
Easter Hat Parade
At the end of the afternoon, the P and C will draw the easter raffles. Please start sending in your Easter egg donations to the school office so that we can make up the prizes in the next few weeks.
High School Applications 2016
Students in Year 6 have received an information guide and expression of interest form regarding their enrolment in high school for 2016. Please take the time to read through this booklet carefully as it has important information regarding the choices available to you and your child. It is very important that this booklet is filled out correctly to ensure that your child has the best chance of securing a place at their desired high school. All booklets must be returned to school by Monday 23 March, 2015.
To support our parents, the school will be holding an information session in the school hall to guide parents through this process. At this session, we will take you through the booklet step-by-step and offer advice so that you can be assured that all information is correct. Mr. Walsh, Mr. Merrick and Mr. Murphy will be conducting the session and will be available to offer assistance and answer any questions. Please ensure you have filled out the expression of interest form and have returned it to your child’s teacher by Friday 13 March. On the evening of the presentation, please also remember to bring along the expression of interest form. We look forward to seeing you there.
Flim Club 2015
Sports News
PSSA Sport
PSSA sport has started and Banksmeadow has students involved in AFL, Softball and Cricket. Well done all teams on some impressive results during Week 6:
Softball
Seniors: Banksmeadow (22) def Malabar (4) (POM - Piper 5/6P)
Juniors: Banksmeadow (16) drew Malabar (16) (POM - Sophie 5/6B)
AFL:
Seniors: South Coogee (32) def Banksmeadow (12) (POM - Yilara 5/6B)
Juniors: South Coogee (21) def Banksmeadow (1) (POM - Ky 3/4M)
Cricket:
Seniors: Malabar (56) def Banksmeadow (30) (POM - Nathan 5/6B)
Juniors: Banksmeadow (30) def Malabar (0) (POM - Cooper 4B)
*POM - Player of the Match
For further information, including cancellations, change in routine and game results follow us on twitter (@BanksmeadowPS) for live updates. Draws for each sport can be found by clicking on the link below.
SRC News
Students of the Week
Congratulations to this weeks amazing Students of the Week. Follow our twitter feed @BanksmeadowPS in order to receive realtime updates on assembly awards and other great things happening in the school.
Class of the Week
Banksmeadow Public School
Email: banksmeado-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Website: http://www.banksmeado-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/
Location: Corner Trevelyan and Wiggins Streets, Banksmeadow
Phone: 9316 9608
Twitter: @banksmeadowps